Section 4 Pardons
Pardons are a measure that nullifies punitive authority without a trial, or changes or nullifies the content or effect of a trial. Japan has the following five types of pardons: general pardon, special pardon, commutation of sentence, remission of execution of the sentence, and restoration of rights.
Pardons can also be divided into pardons by Cabinet Order (general pardon, commutation of sentence, and restoration of rights) that are implemented impartially and pardons for specific persons (special pardon, commutation of sentence, remission of execution of the sentence, and restoration of rights) that are granted to specific persons based on an individual examination. Individual pardons can be further divided into routine pardons that can be implemented at any time and pardons by special standards that can be implemented for a fixed period of time based on criteria decided by Cabinet.
In 2008 pardons granted were routine pardons only, with four persons being granted remission of execution of the sentence and 77 granted restoration of rights (Source: Annual Report of Statistics on Rehabilitation).
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